Focusing
On Success

A clear focus on core expertise
has been the key to success for Mainstar Industries Ltd, a specialist electronic
component manufacturer with extensive experience in designing and manufacturing
transformers.

However, Mainstar's current
success has not been without a few missteps, such as the time it made what
seemed like a logical move into the market for AC/DC adaptors.

"We produced adaptors
a few years ago, but found that there was a lot of competition in that area
and decided accordingly to focus on our strengths in transformers," admits
assistant sales manager Karen Huang.

"We manufacture mostly
small transformers for electronic applications, including audio products and
computer power supplies, and design products according to customer requirements,"
Huang explains, adding that customers generally provide a basic outline of
the functions they are seeking. "Our engineering team has more than 20 years'
experience in this field, so they can give professional advice."

Panasonic is one of a
number of household names among those customers, although Huang prefers not
to name others who buy the company's products through trading companies.

Although Mainstar does
some business in Asia - notably Japan - she says marketing strategy is focused
mostly on Europe and North America, where quality rather than a low price
is the first priority.

The company's 60,000-square-foot
factory at Zhenlong on the Chinese mainland employs around 300 people and
can produce approximately two million units per month, using raw materials
sourced in Taiwan, the US and Japan.

"Because our products
are tailor-made, we only order the materials after we receive order confirmation
from the customer," Huang says. "Delivery can usually be arranged in 30-70
days, although if very rare materials are required it can take longer - up
to 100 days - but that is quite rare."

The company's audio transformers,
communication/modem transformers and common-mode EMI line filters are available
as custom or standard parts.

However, high frequency
transformers and power transformers that conform to UL, CSA, VDE and CSE standards
are custom-built, as are high-frequency chokes and PCB type power transformers.

Production is automated
in some areas but remains labour-intensive in others, and according to Huang
is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future, owing to the manual nature
of processes such as coil winding.

However, the relatively
low cost of labour on the Chinese mainland allows Mainstar to continue to
offer competitive prices for high-quality products.

There are no minimum orders,
and Huang describes the company's approach to customer service as accommodating.
"We hope by doing smaller orders on request to develop a business relationship
with a customer, and then gradually larger orders will be built up," she stresses.
"We are looking for long-term business."

Mainstar has consistently
invested in R&D to stay at the technological forefront of its field, and
Huang claims the firm's engineering team responds well to a challenge.

She notes that there are
"many" transformer manufacturers on the mainland, and Mainstar is well aware
of the need to maintain a sharp competitive edge.

"Our commitment is to
offer the best quality, a competitive price, excellent service and on-time
delivery," Huang insists, claiming that Mainstar offers custom-made components,
fast sampling, a flexible service and the assurance of a prompt reply to customer
enquiries. "We want to concentrate on high quality products and the more complicated
hi-tech area to expand our market."

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